The European Union has long been concerned about the energy efficiency of the building situated in its member states. In addition it was concerned about co2 emissions from properties and it's affect on climate change.

In January 2003 the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD)was made public.This directive will have a massive impact for awareness of residential properties or operations of commercial buildings as well as the development of new buildings.
The EPC is the way in which the EU directive will be adhered to in the UK. An Energy Performance Certificate shows the official energy rating of a property. Home owners
will only need one when they sell their property.

From October 2008 Landlords will have to provide their tenant with a certificate and this remains valid for a 10 year period.

The certificate provides a rating for the property, showing its energy efficiency and its environmental impact on a scale from A-G (where A is the most efficient and G the least efficient). It also contains recommended ways to improve the property's energy performance.

The average Energy Efficiency rating is Band E. By 2009, all buildings in the UK that are constructed, sold or rented out will need to have an Energy Performance Certificate.The assessment must be carried out by a qualified Domestic Energy Assessor who must also be accredited with a scheme approved by theGovernment.

Some of the areas looked at will include;

• Property type
• Age
• Construction and Dimensions
• Room and water heating system
• Insulation levels
• Glazing
• Lighting
  
  

It should take approximately one hour depending on the size of the property. Access will be needed to all rooms including the loft area where possible. It would be beneficial that the owner is on site during the assessment to answer any questions the assessor may have.